Most self-care items can only maintain their peak quality within a definite amount of time, and the same is true for shaving cream.
Learning about shaving cream’s shelf life can help you get the most out of this essential product.
Unfortunately, many readers have no clue about shaving cream’s life spans. So, continue reading to know “How long does shaving cream last?”
How Long Does Shaving Cream Last?
Shaving cream’ shelf lives vary significantly according to their composition, so you must read the manufacturing and expiry dates, which are almost always printed in a jar-like figure on their packaging.
However, a general rule of thumb is that shaving cream made from synthetic substances lasts from 24 to 36 months as long as they remain unopened.
Unfortunately, the ones that primarily consist of natural ingredients spoil much more quickly, in roughly 12 months. Furthermore, opened shaving cream goes bad after as few as 6 months.
In addition, although a typical tube of shaving cream can theoretically retain its peak quality for 1 or 2 years, they tend to run out fast in practice. Indeed, most men use this product on a weekly basis, so an ounce of shaving cream is merely equivalent to a one-month supply.
Can You Use Expired Shaving Creams?
Many people often wonder what would happen if they insist on using expired shaving cream or other anhydrous self-care products.
The answer is No, you shouldn’t.
As these products are exposed to the air for prolonged periods, they become susceptible to bacteria’s impact.
Consequently, they deteriorate and give rise to unwanted inflammation, whose symptoms include redness, rashes, facial infection, or bumpy skin.
Such adverse reactions can occur even when the cream seems normal and doesn’t give off an obnoxious odor. And they can leave you in a shabby condition and cause your confidence to plummet.
Needless to say, using such subpar shaving cream is never a good idea to set the tone for a new day.
Although it is unwise to use shaving cream that has gone past its expiry date, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to trash it. Such creams can act as high-performance cleaners for household appliances.
They feature a surfactant called triethanolamine, which acts as a magnet and attracts all sorts of dirt, grime, or grease.
For this reason, you can use it to clean glasses, mirrors and prevent old doors from producing screeching sounds.
More impressively, a liberal amount of expired shaving cream can rid ovens or faucets of stubborn stains.
Indeed, this cream’s effects are so powerful that you can scrub your appliances with any toothbrush instead of a dedicated cleaning brush.
How Do You Know If Shaving Cream Has Expired?
The first odor fades
A decline in shaving cream’s fragrance signifies a decline in quality.
Thus, if the initial smell begins to fade, it’s time to buy a new bottle of shaving cream.
The original color darkens noticeably
Another telltale sign of decomposition is when the original color becomes visibly darker.
For instance, white shaving creams usually turn yellow or light brown after a year of opening.
The shaving cream texture changes
When the products start to separate, become dried are probably nearing the end of their lifespan, and hence, should be discarded.
Make little to no lather
Finally, products which produce little to no lather are likely to expire.
The lack of foam means that there is no barrier between the blazor and your skin, which increases the risk of irritation.
How To Help Shaving Cream Lasts Longer
Choosing a shaving cream that is not prone to spoilage
To this end, opt for shaving cream that comes in a pump. Unlike products that are packaged in a jar, pumps prevent the cream from being exposed to filthy germs on your fingers.
Besides, you should lean towards shaving creams made from synthetic ingredients. This is because all-natural products tend to spoil more quickly.
Handle the shaving cream appropriately
To do so, try to keep your shaving product in a cool, dry environment instead of a hot, wet, and steamy bathroom. Avoid direct exposure to harsh sunlight if possible.
Finally, don’t forget to seal the product as tightly as possible after using so that the cream doesn’t come into contact with harmful bacteria in the outer air, thus lessening the risk of contamination.
If your product comes in a jar, it’s best to use a spatula so that you don’t have to dig your fingers deep into it.
3 Facts You Should Know About Shaving Cream
As many people have limited acquaintance with this shaving cream, there are some misconceptions about this ubiquitous item.
For this reason, we would like to dispel the myths surrounding it and offer several tips that might come in handy for your family.
Shaving cream does not lead to skin darkening or ingrown hair
Some thought that shaving cream is the culprit behind the darkening in your complexion and uncontrollable growth of ingrown hair. While this might be true for the first commercially available shaving cream, this is not the case for current lineups.
These days, shaving products are formulated without irritants, and all ingredients have to be approved by medical experts. This significantly lessens the risk of skin darkening.
You should cleanse your skin before applying shaving cream
Many men like to use shaving cream right after they get home from work, as the very act of shaving gives them a sense of relaxation.
However, it is a bad idea to shave without cleansing in advance. This is because the buildup of oil, dirt, residues from moisturizers, and sunblocks can suffocate hair molecules, prevent shaving cream from penetrating deeply into the skin and work at the root of hair strands.
For this reason, they should rinse their face with a gentle cleanser, or preferably, an exfoliator. This allows the cream to absorb and dissolve the proteins in hair follicles fully.
This video is a great visual guide on how to use shaving cream:
Shaving cream may set off skin irritation during pregnancy
Some women love to use their husband’s shaving cream on different parts of their bodies. However, they are baffled as to why the usual tube of shaving cream causes their skin to react adversely while expecting their babies.
This is because pregnancy disrupts the hormone balance in their bodies, thus lowering their tolerance to physical pains. In this case, it is recommended that pregnant ladies consult a dermatologist.
However, if you don’t have access to professional advice, you should switch to skin-friendly products that house calming and nourishing ingredients. The most notable ones are listed below.
- Allantoin: Extracted from comfrey, this skin-loving ingredient boasts incredible moisturizing and soothing properties. It acts as a buffer against strong, active ingredients commonly found in shaving cream.
- Licorice extract: As a dermatologist-approved ingredient for easily irritable skin, this skin healer works wonders for pregnant women who go overboard with shaving. More specifically, it rapidly eases redness, blotchiness, itching, and swelling so that it can be an instant game-changer for folks with fragile skin.
- Colloidal oatmeal: It is known as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Furthermore, it can double as a water-binding ingredient. In other words, oatmeal draws moisture from the environment to your skin and then forms a protective barrier over it, enabling post-shaved, cracked skin to restore its softness and hydration level.
- Urea: This skin superstar is deservedly a formidable opponent against irritating ingredients. It intensely promotes wound healing and revitalizes rough skin, a common problem experienced by pregnant women after shaving. Furthermore, it is the perfect companion with shaving cream because it gently sloughs off stubborn dead skin cells, enabling active ingredients to penetrate more deeply.
- Jojoba oil: Often hailed as a magical beauty elixir, this multitasking oil is synonymous with hydration and calmness. Not only does it pamper your post-shaved skin with a much-needed, extra dose of hydration, but it also cushions your skin against bacteria and infection.
- Vaseline: This skin protectant is the only gold standard for moisturization by dermatologists. It retains moisture level by forming a thick seal on top of your shaved skin, enabling your skin to stay supple and smooth to the touch.
That said, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Steer clear of shaving cream containing an excessive amount of this ingredient.
This is because it’s greasy consistency can clog the hair follicles, triggering uneven texture, and worse still, reddened, inflamed breakouts on your ultra-sensitive skin.
Conclusion
By now, you must have known how long shaving cream lasts as well as other nuts and bolts about this item. We hope our detailed article has helped you tell whether your product is approaching the end of its shelf life, ultimately leading to a more pleasant shaving experience.
